Repeating firearm.



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Ifar as the take down construction is involved,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'l LEWIS L. HEPBURN, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR 'IO MARLIN FIRE ARMS COMPANY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

REPEATING FIREARM.

Specification of Letters Patent Patented March 24, 1908.

Application filed May 31, 1906. Serial No. 319,447;

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS L. HEPBURN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at New Haven, New Haven county, Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Repeating Firearms, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in repeating firearms and consists in novel fea-y tures of construction hereinafter fully referred to.

The main object of the invention is to construct a simple and eective means for permitting the gun to be taken down so that the barrel and stock may be packed in a small compass for convenience in packing in transportation. Y

Another object is to provide means for detachably holding the various ,arts of the breech mechanism in position wlien the gun is taken down, so that these parts will not, during the period when the barrel and stock are separated, become accidentally detached and lost.

Another object is to provide a durable an effective means for holding the firing pin spring.

The articular form of the firearm shown in the dlfawings is constructed, as to its action mechanism, substantially as shown in my former patent 776,243. In thatv patent the gun isnot a take down iirearm, and hencSe,

the present invention is not dependent upon any special form of breech mechanism, it

lbeing merely necessary that suitable cartridge handling mechanism be employed to automatically load and unload the cartridges the latter being fed from a suitable magazine.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the breech portion of the gun, the stock section being shown in solid lines, the barrel section being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a view vof the reverse side of the stock portion shown in solid lines in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view of the barrel section, the

breech section vbeing removed to expose various parts of the cartridge handling mechanism. In this view the various parts are locked in what is termed the firing position. Fig. 4 is a similar view, the arts of the car` tridge handling mechanism eing shown in the unlocked and open position.- Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the parts as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the breech block. Fig, 7 is a plan view of the breech block. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the firing pin.

l is the stock; 2 is the barrel. The frame, or receiver, as it isV 'commonly termed, is

'formed by two separable and independent side plates, one of which is rigidly secured to the barrel portion and the other of which is rigidly secured to the stock portion.

1a is the stock side plate.

2a is the barrel side plate.

2b is an overhanging portion ofthe barrel A side plate 2a.

The construction of the cartridge handling mechanism of the particular type shown in the accompanying drawings being substantially that shown in my former patent No. 776,243., it is unnecessary for me to describe at length the construction and mode of operation thereof, since reference may be had to said former patent for a detailed description thereof. Sufce it to say this' cartridge handling mechanism in this particular construction includes the following parts: a sliding breech-block 8, a locking bolt 4 and a carrier 5. lais a pivot pin for the locking bolt 4. This pin is at the side of the locking bolt and takes into a recess of considerably larger diameter, so that the strain of the recoil will be taken by the ends of the bolt directly rather than by the ivot pin itself. The adjacent end of the bo t 4 is, therefore, rounded as shown, to take into a correspondingly rounded bearing recess in the breech-block' (see Fig.V 6). The rear end of the locking bolt engages Aagainst a suitable abutment 2e on the side late 2a, when in the locking position (see ig. 3), so that the strain of the recoil will always be on the part rigid with the barrel. In these respects my present invention is an improvement on features made the subject matter of my former patents.

The means for actuating the various parts of the cartridge handling mechanism is a slid-y ing handle 6, which is suitably connected to the cartridge handling mechanism by means of a rod 7.

8 is a magazine. 9 is a binding screw or bolt which constitutes an effective means to secure the side lates in their assembled osition. This inding screw 9 passes through one plate and takes into a screw-threaded opening in the other, so that when set down it holds the parts iirmly in position.

ln the particular form of the invention shown herein the stock side portion l carries a laterally prejectin@` stud or tenen 1b which takes into a suitable recess or mortise 2p in the barrel portion. 1C is another tenonlike device on the stock portion which takes into a suitable recess 2d in the barrel portion. As shown, the parts 1b and l" are given a slight taper, so that when the parts are in their home position all looseness will be prevented. It will be observed that these various holding devices are spaced apart, so that when the various )arts are assembled they will be eiieetively held in an operative or sctup position. It should be understood that the outline of these holding devices is immaterial to my invention broadly; likewise it is immaterial whether their arrangement be reversed. In using the term tenen, it is employed in a generic sense to include any shoulder or lug having the reinforcing or con necting function. 4

The rod 7 enters the receiver at the line of division between the barrel portion or side )late and the stock portion or side plate, and hence, when the gun is taken down, that very act leaves the said rod free to be detached from the cartridge handling mechanism, and the various parts thereof may be quickly and easily removed for the purposes of cleaning, repair, readjustment or lubrication.

It is obvious that after the gun is taken down, and while it is taken down and the action rod freed, the various parts coiild easily become detached and lost in the absence ,of suitable holding means. To prevent this, I provide a rib between the breech-bolt and the overhanging part 2l. In, the form shown this rib projects upwardly from the breech bolt and takes into a groove in the underside of the part 2l. This rib in the particular form shown is not integral (although that is immaterial broadly) with the breech bolt or the part 2b, but in this instance is formed on the iiring-pin which moves in a groove in the top of the breech bolt.

10 is the iiring-pin and 10a is the top rib thereon, which, when the iiring-pin is in place, is seen to project slightly above the upper surface of the breech bolt. The length of this rib 1()a is such that a very long bearing is aii`orded. The rib stops short of the end of the breech-bolt, so that when the lat ter is in its rearmost position (see F ig. 4), the said rib will be entirely free of the groove in the part 2b, whereupon the said breech bolt may be slipped out aterally, assuming, of course, that the rod '7 has been first freed from the cartridge handling mechanism. When, however, the breech bolt is advanced, this rib l()u will stand in the groove in the underside or part 2l and then the breech bolt cannot become accidentally detached. This is a feature ol the greatest value in a takcdown repeatin f gun. By making the rib 10a of substantial ength it aids instead ying the breech bolt on its excursion to and lro. This holding nieans may be modified in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention, but by having the holding rib on the upper part of the breech block and of considerable length has decided advantages from the standpoint of effectiveness, since it ail'ords a relatively long and reliable connection and guide. i

In my former patent, above referred to, I have shown a spring for retracting the firing pin which corresponds to the spring used herein. This springis indicated at l1 and the same is carried by the iiring pin between two depending shoulders 10b-10h 10 is a connection between the ends of these shoulders 1()b and the presence of said connection adds very materially to the strength of that part of the firing-pin between said shoulders.

10d- 10d are two opposite projections arranged. to` engage the opposite ends of the spring 11 when the same is in place, thus preventing its accidental dislodgment at all times. It is desirable that this or an equivalent spring retaining means be provided. As

shown 1n my former patent, the spring 11 95 when in place engages with a shoulder 3 on the breech bolt, so that when the hammer 13 is down, said spring will be compressed, but when the hammer is retracted, said spring will force the firing-pin backward into its normal position, wherein the ring end of the firing-pin stands retracted, and wherein a portion 10" of the tiring )in acts as a block lor the locking bolt 4, as described in my former patent.

12 is an extractor, which is set in a longitudinal groove in the top of the breech bolt. This extractor has a sohd non-yielding shank portion which snugly fits in said groove, so that the entire strain of the free end in the act ol engaging the empty shell and withdrawing it from the barrel will be taken by uon-yielding walls, thus insuring the elliective operation of said extractor and preventing wear on the parts.

12 is a screw which takes into the breech block in such a manner as to hold the extractor in position and prevent its accidental disengagei'nent. To remove the extractor requires but the use of an ordinary small screw driver whereby this screw 12 may be withdrawn and the extractor lifted out.

It will be observed that the dividing line on which the gun is taken down extends lon,- gitudinally through the receiver, so that one side plate will be permanently carried by the barrel and the other permanently by the stock. Thus, when the parts are assembled, broad and irm bearings are provided. Furthermore, by this arrangement, the cost vof manufacturing the firearm is reduced, be-

caus'e the machining of the side plates to receive the various' parts of the cartridge handling mechanism is all open: work as distin- 1. In a take-down repeating rearm, a re-,

ceiver divided vertically to form two independent side -plates, an overhanging top piece Ion one of said side plates, a barrel rigidly carrying said side plate and overhanging top piece, a stock rigidly carrying the other side plate, a breech block arranged to reciprocate in the space between said plates, means for detachably engaging the breechblock with the overhanging top piece to prevent the lateral disengagement of thelatter when the gun is takenv down and the breech block is advanced, said means freeing said breech block to permit it to be detached when it is in a retracted position.

2. In a take-down 'repeating firearm, a separable receiver, a breech bolt arranged to reciprocate therein, a barrel portion detachable from the stock portion upon the separation of the receiver, a firing-pin carried by the breech bolt, a rib on the firing-pin arranged to enter a groove in the barrel portion of the receiver when said breech bolt is in an advanced position and to be freed from said groove when the breech bolt is in a rearward position.

3. In a take-down repeatin firearm, a receiver, said receiver being divided longitudinally and vertically to form two independent plates respectively carried by the barrel and stock, means for detachably securing said plates in an o 'erative position, a reciprocating breechbo t within the receiver, a longitudinal rib carried by the upper part of the breech bolt and arranged to prevent the accidental displacement of said breech bolt when' the gun is taken down, and agroove in the upper part of the receiver adapted to receive said rib when the breech bolt is advanced, said rib being free of said groove when said breech bolt is partiallyretracted.

4. In a repeating firearm, a breech bolt, a firing-pin carried thereby, a spring for retracting said ring-pin, shoulders` on the firing-pin to receive said spring between them, the upper and lower ends o said shoulders being connected, and a shoulder on the breech block to receive the thrust of said spring when the ring-pin is advanced. y

5. In a repeating firearm, a breech bolt, a firing-pin carried thereby, a spring for retracting said firing-pin, shoulders on the firing-pin to receive said spring between them, the upper and lower ends of said shoulders 'being connected, and a shoulder on the breech block to receive the thrust of said spring when the firing-pin is advanced, and means to revent the accidental displacement of said spring from the space between said shoulders.

6. In a repeating firearm, a breech bolt, a firing-pin carried thereby, a spring for retracting said firing-pin, shoulders on the firing-pin to receive said spring between them, the upper and lower ends of said shoulders being connected, a shoulder on the breech block to receive the thrust of said spring when the firing-pin is advanced, and means to prevent the accidental displacement ofsaid spring from the space between said shoulders, said means comprising projections arranged to enter each end of the spring. y

7. In a take-down repeating firearm, a receiver divided vertically to form two independent side plates, an overhanging top plate on one of said side plates, a barrel rigidly carrying'said side plate and overhanging top piece, a stock'rigidly carrying the other side plate, a breech block arranged to reciprocate in the space between saidplates, means of engagement between the overhanging top piece and said breech block to revent the accidental disengagement of the atter when the gun is taken down, said engaging means comprising a rib arranged in the line of movement of said breech block and .ceiver divided vertically to form two 'independent side plates, an -overhanging toppiece carriedby one of said side plates, a barrel rigidly carrying one of said side plates, a stock rigidly carrying the other side plate, a breech block arranged to reciprocate on and carried by the side plate carrying the overhanging top-piece and means of engagement between the breechblock and the overhanging top-piece to prevent the accidental displacement 'of the former when the gun is taken down said means freeing said breech block to permit it to be detached when the breech block stands in a retracted position.

9. In a repeating firearm, areceiver including two separable parts, a reciprocating breech-block carried by one of said parts, a firing pin carried in a groove or recess in said breech-block, a groove in the receiver part which carries the breech-block, and a projection AJfrom the firing pin entering said groove and arranged to hold the breech-block from accidental displacement.

10. In a repeating firearm, a'receiver including two separable parts, abreech-block carried by one of said parts but removable therefrom, a firing pin carried by the breechblock, a portion of said firing pin projecting above the surface of the breech-block and making operative engagement with its supprojection, and a groove in the receiver adporting part of the receiver to prevent the jacent thereto to receive said rib-like proaceidental displacement of the breech-block jection, said projection standing in said therefrom. groove when said breech-block is advanced,

5 11. In a repeating firearm, a receiver and thereby andat such time preventing the 15 Jformed of two separable parts, a reciprocatremoval of the breech-block.

ing breech-block carried by one of said parts, LEWIS L. HEPBURN. a irng pin carried by said breech-block7 a Witnesses: portion of said firing pin extending above the M. H. MARLIN,

10 surface of the breech-block to forni a rib-like M. L. POST. 

